It is said that there is no place in the world where Bruce Springsteen is as popular as he is in Norway. This week he performed at two sold-out concerts in Oslo.
This is Springsteen's 16th trip to Norway, and "the Boss" confirms that he shares a very special bond with the Norwegians: "A deeper connection has continued to develop throughout the years. It feels like a second home, and it is always nice to come here."
Springsteen explains that the Norwegians weren't always so enthusiastic. During his first concert in Oslo in the 80s, the audience sat in their seats for the first half of the concert. "It was very frustrating. But then we started playing something, and all of a sudden everybody got up and rushed towards the stage. It's been like that ever since."
Journalist and author Hans-Olav Thyvold wrote the book Bruce Springsteen: Den Siste Amerikaner ("The Last American"), and says that what makes the artist so popular is his performance and interaction with the audience on stage.
"Springsteen is at his very best when he is on stage. Nobody denies that. The discussion among music experts is rather on how long his music will live on when he is no longer on stage," Thyvold points out.
Several of his fans waited outside Telenor Arena for hours to grab the best spots Monday, and when 23,000 concert tickets were released in December last year they were sold out in 17 minutes.
Springsteen also came to Norway and performed at the concert held in the honor of the July 22nd victims.
(NRK)
Julie Ryland
